By Mark Rasdall

Leeds United fans have been speculating on transfers in and out of the club since the season ended. We've used this as a kind of summer diversion from arguing over the players we already had in the squad which, in turn, followed on from discussion as to whether Brian McDermott was the right choice as manager, which came after many of us finally had to admit that Neil Warnock could offer to modern football management what BGT's Attraction could offer without light.

LUFC fans are no different to football fans across the globe. We are a community and we travel long distances over the course of each season, giving huge amounts of time and cash to the football team we all love. The debate and banter is a key part of all of this and football is thankfully still about having fun, as much as it is about Sky and TV payments and multimillion pound owners. I wouldn't have it any other way.

However, sometimes the passion becomes poisonous and we seem to get fixated on the negativity and the toxic rather than the possibilities and the opportunities. No sooner had I gone on to Sky's site today to read about the club signing Matt Smith from Oldham Athletic, than so-called fans were criticising the move in comments on that very article and across the web. Apart from seeing him in action last season on the TV in FA Cup matches against Liverpool and Everton, I don't know much about him. People are saying he's inexperienced but he's 24, not 18, and admits himself that he's still learning; much older and the 'experts' would have been saying he's too old.

In my view he is a welcome addition as are all players unless or until they prove us and - much more importantly, Brian McDermott - wrong. I put my faith in Brian and his team because he hasn't let us down yet either. There were players who came in last season under Warnock who I didn't rate especially highly and was critical after seeing them play; but I gave them a chance first and some improved and some didn't. How can we expect people to want to come to Elland Road and then perform really well immediately when we put them under so much pressure before they've even had a chance to show us? Contrary to popular belief football players can and do read these kinds of comments and reviews.

I personally think we have to be patient with Steve Morison for the same reason. Those goals against Palace at Selhurst Park were no fluke - how can Brian hope to get his head right if we keep on putting him down? It may just be that Smith and Morison up-front could be a great spearhead with McCormack just behind and cleaning up? A lot of Leeds fans have never forgiven Alan Smith because of where he went to after leaving our club. I have to say that I think that is as puerile as those who now slag off a young man who cannot wait to give his all for us (isn't that the kind of hunger Brian was after?). I don't care where Alan went after leaving our club, only what he did for our team while he was with us. If I say that about Matt in a few years' time, with him having done half of what Alan Smith did for us, that's fine by me. I look forward to seeing his six foot six frame in action and hopefully he can physically see beyond the airheads who are so clever, in the same way as we should all do, metaphorically, right here and right now.

We can't hope to march on and up together without trust and, most of all, patience.

Well said Mark... Give the lad a chance to prove his worth in a white shirt before writing him off.. He a young player with talent, last season everyone was moaning about signing pensioners, now Smith is too inexperienced.. Get behind the player, the manager and the team MOT

Reply

on and on

10/6/2013 04:05:15 am

well said bill loads come on these sites and just sing doom and gloom week in week out. how about getting down to ER and getting behind our lads. looking forward to pre season both abroad ans home then a season we ALL want onwards and upwards.MOT

Reply

Daz King

10/6/2013 04:07:15 am

I couldn't have put it better myself. I think some fans are still expecting us to throw the cash around like we did at the start of the century!

Reply

Louis-Anton Green

10/6/2013 04:16:43 am

well said! i hate all the constant negativity that shrouds the glory that is LUFC!

i am hopeful of Matt Smith being a vital asset to the club and collecting us those vital three points per game

Reply

michael brown

10/6/2013 04:40:46 am

all positive comments,all good, all pulling same way. a machine cant be operated properly unless the bloke pushing the buttons knows what he is doing and the co workers trust him. 2/3 years then we back in prem, dont want it rushed to fall back down, anyway the away days out are better in lower leagues and proper support turns up, not the glory hunters who will come back when we do rise up again. MICK

Reply

jb

10/6/2013 06:37:43 am

I agree with everyone. Get behind him give him a chance, he could turn out to be exceptional. Also, please everyone give Steve Morison a chance, he joined a squad in disarray half way through the season. Mark my words he will come good...boom!!

I was rather concerned to see our first summer signing was an Oldham Athletic player if im honest but I am 100% behind the manager he has a plan I hope it works. Please please get 2 pacey wingers or use Byram on the right and get the left winger in get crosses into the

Reply

Tracey

10/6/2013 07:50:11 am

Completely agree with your comments we all should stick together like glue now. MOT

Reply

garry

10/6/2013 08:07:59 am

bang on
the lad sounds like he's got his head screwed on,
Brian's got to build a squad, and he won't be getting a massive budget. it's bloody good business.
It will take time to build a quality side that can challenge for the championship, never mind hold our own in the boring premier league.
MOT

Reply

Christopher in Perth Western Australia

10/6/2013 03:35:45 pm

My feelings exactly Mark! Well said. :)

Looking forward to next season for LUFC and Perth Glory.

Reply

Pauli D

10/6/2013 05:47:03 pm

I thought we were gonna play some football this season? SHAME

I thought we were gonna buy some pace? SHAME

I actually believed McDermott would be a new start? SHAME

Just like to point out, a walking punchbag and the brothers Hunt are EXACTLY the players our beloved former manager would bring in.
A target man (who's not actually much good in the air), plus not 1 but 2 JOURNEYMAN NOBODIES!!
Look at Smith and Hunt's goalscoring record (Or lack of one)

At least McDermott's mates are getting jobs, and after the last decade, we're all used to 30 year old guys 'doing a job', all be it very slowly.

Thinking just once, things might improve SHAME

Reply

dewsbury white

11/6/2013 04:00:57 am

Spot on , Leeds fans seem to have a natural tendancy to pull things down, personally my glass is always half full and i firmly believe if we all pull in the same direction then we'll get to where we all want to be , and surely that's the premiership , by the way on the subject of Bmac wanting the training ground to be just like ER then why not do open training sessions for the fans to come along to see !?? Now someone will shoot me down and say they do already.!! When i was younger i used to love going over to ER and watching the players train , it was o'leary that didn't like it and wanted it stopped , oh and lets leave the negativity with the sad hammer eh ???!!

Reply

Leave a Reply.

'If you bet on Leeds United we have been using thebookiesoffers.co.uk to get the best free bets and offers, see what you can claim'...i